Revolucion!: Cuban Poster Art

by Lincoln Cushing

The poster was the popular art form in Cuba following the Cuban Revolution, when the government sponsored some 10,000 public posters on a fascinating range of cultural, social, and political themes. Revolucin!, produced with unprecedented access to Cuban national archives, assembles nearly 150 of these powerful but little—seen works of popular art. From the 1960s through the 1980s, the posters rallied the Cuban people to the huge task of building a new society, promoting massive sugar harvests and national literacy campaigns; opposing the U.S. war in Vietnam; celebrating films, music, dance, and baseball with a unique graphic wit and exuberant colorful style. With an introduction illuminating the rich social and artistic history of the posters, and rare biographical information on the artists themselves, this striking volume offers a window into the story of Cuba—and a truly revolutionary chapter in graphic design.

Genres: Art, Design, History, Nonfiction

132 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Benjamin Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Beautifully designed, colorful, and political, the poster was the popular artform in the years following the Cuban revolution, when the new Cuban government sponsored some 10,000 Public posters. Distributed across the country, the posters rallied the Cuban people to the monumental task of building a new society, but also celebrating Cuban music, dance, sports, and film.”

[madison carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is visually stunning, its pages filled with colorful pop-art style posters from the 50s and on. Cushing provides a good basic history to the Cuban poster culture and how these works of art reflected the aims and ideals of the nation.

[Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful with a real telling of history

[Frederic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of Cuban posters, well reproduced. These are great to see, many survive only in photographs. But not really developed is how this body of work fits in the global production of posters during this period; in many parts of the developing world posters had similar importance, due to their economical production, and the political climate also encouraged such expressions. A good companion/comparison would be El Cartel De Puerto Rico (which I frankly consider a much stronger book, on an even stronger and equally -- or even more -- poorly known artistic tradition).

[Jennpants · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did the Cubans get it so right? I never knew that Cuban poster art was such a force.

It's also very interesting that respect for individual creativity (the artist/creator) was respected and that there was a distinct lack in social/political realism in the posters. Two things that very distinctly set Cuban poster art aside from two of its historic allies who were also know for poster art: Russia and China.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

while i went straight for the eye candy, and skipped the info on the printing/procssing/creating of the posters, it is still an amazing collection of prints/posters. graphically slamming ... extremely relevant art. also, an excellant look into the culture

[Seth Mowshowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favourite books on design because of the posters themselves - their sheer quality, joy and all that they represent. The designers of these posters are, in my opinion, some of the greatest ever known.

[Uriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning art work that inspired, informed and strengthened the Cuban people and the world. Awesome historical view of the relationship between the US and Cuba.

[Brett]

If only US propaganda was this awesome.

[Ryan Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

revolucion!!!